Fixture assembly for elongated tubular lamps



Dec. 12, 1950 A. ARENBERG ET AL 2,533,661

FIXTURE ASSEMBLY FOR ELONGATED TUBULAR LAMPS Filed March 18, 1948 MMi/ZM Patented Dec. 12, 1950 I FIXTURE ASSEMBLY FOR ELONGATED TUBULAR LALIPS Albert L. Arenberg, Highland Park, Robert G. Nordquist, Glen Ellyn, and OrvalW. Rahn, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Patent License Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application March is, 1948, Serial No. 15,684

6 Claims. (01. arc-51.11)

This invention relates generally to an improved I vehicle lighting structure or fixture particularly adapted for installation in buses, railway cars and the like, which affords efficient illumination of the vehicle interior while at the same time presenting an improved external appearance. More particularly, the invention pertains to certain hinging features incorporated in the parts of the fixture.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lighting structure of the foregoing type embodying a plurality of like light-transmissive sections assembled in close end-to-end relation, and with a novel hinge means for mounting these sections in a light housing.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a lighting fixture including an elongated mounting plate formed by a metal extrusion process and characterized by an integral, elongated hinge member extending along a longitudinal side thereof, together with a panel supporting frame having a similar longitudinally extending, extruded hinge member extending along a side thereof and engageable with the hinge member of said mounting plate to pivotally support said frame on the plate. 1

Yet another specific object is to provide a lighting fixture having a supporting plate and panel frame hingedly connected to one another by the foregoing provisions, in which said hinge means are adapted for ready and quick engagement or release in assembly and disassembly by a" simple, relative lateral shifting movement of the frame and supporting plate.

A 'still further object is to provide lighting structure of the above type, including a locking element which coacts with said hinge means in a novel manner to prevent accidental separation of the hinge elements, eliminating possibility of rattling of the housing parts when installed, and to guide the hinge elements in the swinging of the frame relative to the mounting plate of the fixture.

Yet another object is to provide a fixture of the-foregoing type, including a novel supporting, backing or mounting plate fabricated in the form of. a one-piece metal extrusion and characterized by a novel cross-sectional outline which aflords a longitudinally extending recess in its outer surface for the reception of a fluorescent illuminating tube or other light source, as well as to provide a pair of elongated channels on the opposite side thereof for the reception of wires, conduits and the like.

A still further specific obiect is to provide a 2 backing or mounting plate for a fixture of th above type, said plate having a novel integral hinge element by which a light panel'supporting frame is pivotally connected to the plate.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary bottom perspective view illustrating the general external appearance of a fixture embodying the present invention, as operatively installed for the illumination of the elongated interior of a bus, railway car or the llkej Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in transverse vertical section on a line generally corresponding to line 2-2' of Fig. 1, illustrating more clearly the character and relationship of the component parts of the fixture;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal vertical section through the fixture, taken along a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Fig; 2 and further showing details of the parts and their relationships; and

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are further enlarged, fragmentary views in transverse section, generally similar to Fig. 3, still more clearly illustrating the shape and relationship of the novel, integral coacting hinge elements of the light panel frame and mounting plate of the fixture, andparticwlarly showing the manner of assembling and disassembling of said plate and frame at said hinge elements.

The present invention provides a lighting structure which is particularly intended for installation in railway and streetcars, buses, airplanes and like elongated vehicles for the illumination of the interior thereof, though other adaptations thereof are quite possible. To meet the requirements of such installations, the fixture incorporates elongated light-transmissive paneling of a type adapted to direct an intensified reading beam directly downwardly onto the reading planes of passengers seated in a row therebeneath, said row extending longitudinally in the direction of the vehicle. At the same time, the paneling is so designed as to emit diifused illumi-t nation laterally and downwardly at a less sharp angle for uniformly floodlighting areas on either side of the fixture, thereby illuminating car cards or like advertising matter and/or an aisle zone located laterally of the fixture.

Some difllculty has heretofore been experienced inpreventing the accumulation of dust in the interior-of the elongated paneling, referred to, thereby cutting down the light emission therefrom; consequently, the present inventiomlneludes means to thoroughly and eillciently dust-v seal the fixture interior. In another aspect, the invention resides in the fabrication of a pair of constituent frame and supporting plate members of the fixture by extrusion methods, in the main, whereby a novel type of hinged interconnection of said members is made possible, greatly facilitating their assembly and disass'embiy and otherwise improving the fixture as a whole.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral Ill generally designates the upper deck of the interior of a vehicle of the type referred to above, which deck overhangs a row of passenger seats on one side of a central aisle, in well-known fashion. Car cards of a familiar type, designated II, are adapted to be disposed in the longitudinally extending supporting guides l2 which laterall adjoin these decks. The fixture of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral I3, is mounted on the lower surface of the deck to extend longitudinally thereof, in the fashion illustrated in Fig. 1. It will be understood without illustration that passenger seats are disposed beneath the fixture, paralleling the length thereof.

This fixture is generally constituted, as illustrated in Fig. 2. of a backing or mounting plate M in the form of an elongated, generally rectangular extrusion of a light-weight metal such as aluminum, an open, elongated generally rectangular panel supporting frame IS, the elongated parallel side pieces of which are also extrusions of a similar metal, and the light transmissive, sectional paneling carried by said frame, generally designated l6.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the paneling I8 is made up of a plurality of like hollow, lighttransmissive panels or sections ll which, when operatively installed in the frame l5, are disposed in relatively close, end-to-end relation. This results in an appearance of surface continuity and a general streamlining effect which is very attractive and which lends itself to increased uniformity of illumination of the vehicle interior. The ends of the fixture are enclosed by appro priate end plates or ornamental caps ll of cast aluminum or the like applied in the manner described.

. As pointed out above, the backing plate I4 is produced by an extrusion process, an important feature in the invention, since it enables the provision, .as an integral part of the plate, of a continuous elongated hinge element, hereinafter described in detail, extending along an edge thereof and coextensive in length therewith. As illustrated clearly in Fig. 2, the plate It is also shaped in extruding the same to provide a central, longitudinally extending and outwardly or. forwardly opening recess 18 on its outer side adapted to accommodate the mounting socket II for the elongated, fluorescent tube type light sources 20 of the fixture. The wall of the recess II is appropriately apertured to lead in this conduit to the socket. At either side of these recesses the elongated, oppositely or rearwardly opening channels 2|, 22 are formed in backing plate I4 for the reception and concealment of necessary wiring, conduit or like elements 23 involved in the operation of the fixture.

'To the left of the rear channel 22, as viewed in Figs. 2, 4. and 6 the backing plate It is shaped to provide an elongated, outwardly exposed groove or way 24 on its lower surface and further to the left of said way said plate termi- 4 ing, continuous. longitudinally extending hinge keeper 23. This keeper is curved inwardly or to the right and upwardly at its extremity 26 to provide an upwardly and inwardly opening keeper recess 21. Reference is directed particularly to Figs. 4, 5 and 6 for an enlarged showing of this hinge keeper feature and the hinge component of the panel frame l5 which coacts therewith.

To the right of the other rear channel 2| of plate It, the latter is shaped to provide a groove or way 23 which is identical with the way 24, and adjacent its right hand margin the plate is provided with a plurality of metal tapping pads, 29, said pads being secured to the lower surface of the plate for the purpose of threadedly receiving screws 30 for locking the frame Hi thereto. The backing plate and the remaining parts of the fixture hinged thereto are secured to the deck Ill by means of internal screws 3|, in an obvious manner.

The frame I5 is of approximately the same external dimensions as the backing plate and includes elongated side pieces 32, 33 which, like said backing plate, are produced by known extruding process. Each side-piece has a longitudinahy extending, inner ledge 34 adapted to support the end-to-end arranged panel sections ll, while the piece 32 is shaped in section to provide, along its opposite, upper, longitudinal edge, an outwardly and downwardly curved, hook-like hinge element or tongue 35 which is adapted to engage in the keeper recess 21 of the backing plate hinge member 26. The other side piece 33 of the frame is curved upwardly in section and appropriately shaped to fit over the outer margin ture are molded of glass or plastic and have a:. continuously curved outer surface 31 illustrated in Fig. 2, the lateral portions of which have enamel fired thereon, as at 38, or are etched. or.. otherwise treated to provide for the emission.

of diffused light in the lateral direction. Thus the car cards II and the central aisle zone of .the

vehicle are flooded with soft difiused light, free from glare. The central portion 33 of the panel.

or section is clear and, preferably, lensed internally, as indicated at 40, whereby to direct a condensed and intensified beam downwardly along the reading zone of seats located beneath the fixture.

The end walls ll of each section are shaped in the downwardly relieved outline illustrated in Fig, 2 and are adapted to coact compressively with a dust-sealing strip42 of felt or sponge rubber extending over the upper surface thereof. These respective sealing strips may be cemented onthe. metal cross straps 43, of shape corresponding to that of the upper surface of the end walls. WmQh straps are disposed over said surfaces and'are secured at their ends to the respective frame side pieces 32, 33. Securement is effected by tl ev pin and screw provisions 44, 44 respectively,

which engage in bored and tapped openingsiii the side pieces. This arrangement not only,

braces said pieces in rigid, spaced, frame-like .arf'

rangement, but also locks sections H to the frame It, as will be described. If desired, the

notes in an outwardly or downwardly projectfurther angled metal strips 45 may be inter,

These frame sideposed between the straps 43 and the compressible dust sealing strips 42 to serve as abutment elements.

Further compressible sealing strips 48 of felt, sponge rubber or the like, are disposed over the upper surface of the straps 43, being adhered to said straps if desired. They are adapted to be compressed between said straps 43 and the stamped or east end closure or divider elements 41 on which the various fluorescent tube sockets I. are mounted. These elements 41 may be rivted to the backing plate 14 in appropriate longitudinal spacing, as illustrated in Fig. 3, and the ornamental end caps I'I' abut and are appropriately aflixed to the outermost thereof, or to the backing plate l4.

In order to complete the dust sealing of the interior of the light transmissive paneling ii of the fixture, longitudinally extending, relatively thick pads 48 of sponge rubber, felt or the like are compressed between the longitudinally extending side flanges 49 of the panel sections, which support the paneling on the frame ledges l4, and the backing plate l4. These strips are located in the grooves or ways 24, 28 of the backing plate, between the transverse straps 43, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and may be cemented in that position, if desired.

The above described sealing provisions insure that the interior of the paneling is safeguarded effectively against the admission of dust and maintain its light transmissivity-and efllciency unimpaired throughout a long life. The individual, longitudinally disposed sections in effect constitute a continuous, unitary light-transmissive panel of length many times the length of its individual constituent sections. In short, the external appearance of the fixture paneling is the pleasing appearance of a single continuous uninterrupted unit of great length, even though manufacturing considerations preclude the production of such an elongated light transmissive unit.

As stated, an important feature of the invention resides in the hinge structure shown in detail in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 and in the means whereby its assembly and disassembly are facilitated, its

inadvertent displacement rendered impossible,

illustrated in Fig. 5 is next placed against the inner or lower surface of plate [4 to abut the outermost longitudinal shoulder 5| which partially defines the backing plate groove or way 24. A number of these retainers may be employed, spaced along the length of the fixture. They have the lower outer edge or nose thereof curvedly relieved slightly at 52 to accommodate free, non-rubbing, pivotal movement of the hinge tongue 35 when the frame I5 is swung either upwardly or downwardly, however, the nose is so positioned as to engage said hinge element if the frame is shifted upwardly or laterally a predetermined amount, thereby preventing accidental displacement from the keeper. A positive guide in hlnging. is provided. The retainer 50 is held in place by a screw 53 disposed therethrough and threaded in a. tapped hole in the backing plate l4.

As stated, a plurality of these retainers or locking blocks may be provided, so that the retaining action is distributed uniformly along the length of the fixture. They may be remoied with ease if it is desired to remove the frame II from the backing plate or, if desired, any section I! of the paneling l3 may be replaced by simply swinging the frame downwardly, removing the appropriate cross straps 43 and lifting out the section in question.

This hinge structure, consisting of the specially shaped hinge keeper and tongue elements of the frame and plate members is highly satisfactory in operation. The extruded character of the backing plate and frame side pieces enable the free-hinging tongue and keeper shapes to be quickly and inexpensively produced, as would not be possible employing other methods of fabrication. Moreover, the resultant hinge is absolutely free from rattle when the fixture is assembled. with the frame and backing plate clamped together. Its elongated character contributes materially to the maintenance of a dust-free condition in the interior of the fixture, and presents an attractive external appearance harmonizing with that of paneling l3. Cleaning of such a I continuous, uninterrupted structure is rendered very easy indeed.

We claim:

1. In a lighting structure of the type described, an elongated backing member provided with an elongated hinge keeper in fixed'relation thereto and substantially coextensive in length therewith adjacent a side thereof, said keeper projecting at an angle to the backing member and being shaped to provide an upwardly and inwardly opening keeper recess, an elongated, panel supporting frame having a projecting hinge tongue removably receivable in said open keeper recess to hingedly support said frame on said backing member, a locking member and means fixedly but removably securing said locking member to said backing member adjacent said keeper, said locking member having lateral restraining engagement with said frame hinge tongue to prevent separation of said member and frame by transverse relative movement thereof.

2. In a lighting structure of the type described, an elongated backing member provided with an elongated hinge keeper in fixed relation thereto and substantially coextensive in length therewith adjacent a side thereof, said member and keeper being formed as an integral, elongated extrusion, said keeper projecting at an angle to the backing member and being shaped to provide an upwardly and inwardly opening keeper recess, an elongated, panel supporting frame including an extruded side piece having an integral, projecting hinge tongue removably receivable in said open keeper recess to hingedly support said frame on said backing member, a locking member and means fixedly but removably securing said locking member to said backing member adjacent said keeper, said locking member having lateral restraining engagement with said frame hinge tongue to prevent separation of said member and frame by transverse relative movemen thereof.

3. In a fighting structure of the type described, an extruded backing plate provided with an integral hinge keeper adjacent a side thereof, said keeper projecting outwardly at an angle to the plate and being shaped to provide a keeper recess opening toward the-plate and'inwardly of the plate margin, an elongated frame including an extruded side piece having an integral, laterally projecting hinge. tongue arranged adjacent 'a side of said frame piece, said tongue being replate provided with an integral, elongated hinge keeper substantially coextensive in length therewith adjacent a side thereof, said keeper projecting outwardly at an angle to the plate and being shaped to provide a keeper recess opening toward the plate and inwardly of the plate margin, an

elongated frame including a one-piece, elongated extruded side piece having an integral, laterally projecting hinge tongue substantially coextensive with and arranged adjacent a side of said frame piece, said tongue being receivable in said open keeper recess to hingedly support said frame on said backing plate, a removable looking member, means fixedly securing said locking member to said backing plate adjacent said keeper for lateral restraining engagement with said frame hinge tongue to prevent separation thereof from said keeper recess by transverse relative movement of said frame and plate, and light transmissive paneling disposed in and supported by said'frame, comprising a plurality of elongated sections of length less than that of the frame arranged in close end-to-end relation therein and in supported relation to said frame side piece.

5. In a lighting structure of the type described, a one-piece, extruded backing plate provided with an integral elongated hinge keeper adjacent aside thereof. an elongated forwardly opening recess of substantial width between the side margins thereof and an elongated, rearwardly opening channel in laterally adjoining relation to said recess, said hinge keeper being shaped to provide an internal keeper recess along a plate side margin, an elongated frame including an extruded elongated, unitary integral, elongated, laterally projecting hinge tongue receivable in said keeper recess to hingedly support said frame on said backing plate, light transmissive paneling disposed in and supported by said frame, comprising a plurality of elongated sections arranged in end-to-end relation therein and in supported relation to said frame side piece, and means to secure, said frame in fixed relation to said backing plate.

6. In a lighting structure of the type described,

a one-piece. extruded backing plate provided with an integral elongated hinge keeper adjacent a side thereof, an elongated, forwardly opening recess of substantial width between the side margins thereof and an elongated, rearwardly opening channel in laterally adjoining relation to said recess, said hinge keeper being shaped to provide an internal keeper recess along a plate side margin, an elongated frame including an extruded side piece having an integral, projecting hinge tongue receivable in said keeper recess to hingedly support said frame on said backing plate, a locking member, means removably securing said locking member to said backing plate in position to exert lateral restraining action on said frame hinge tongue, thereby to prevent separation thereof by transverse relative movement of said frame and plate, light transmissive paneling disposed in and supported by said frame, comprising a plurality of elongated sections arranged in end-to-end relation therein and in supported relation to said frame side piece, and means to secilirtee said frame in fixed relation to said backing p a ALBERT L. ARENBERG.

ROBERT G. NORDQUIST.

ORVAL W. RAHN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Ranney Aug. 20, 1.946

side piece having an 

